New FAA reauthorization bill designates more funding for Lawton airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill passed by Congress will increase federal funding for Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport.

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, said last week the reauthorization would increase annual funding designated to the regional airports in Lawton and Stillwater by $300,000. It was one of three major wins for Oklahoma. The bill also includes funding that would allow expansion of the Air Traffic Control Academy in Oklahoma City, and allow the Choctaw Nation to apply for a waiver to permit financial transactions for commercial testing to continue its UAS (unmanned aircraft system) integration into national aerospace, said Mullin, author of the provision for the Choctaw Nation.

Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport Manager Barbara McNally said the funding designation for Lawton is an increase in the airport’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant, awarded annually to airports to fund aviation-related work and projects. Lawton typically receives $1 million a year in AIP money, but has received larger allocations in recent years because of its $15.2 million terminal upgrade project. Lawton’s increase will continue to help cover the cost of that upgrade.

“This will help with the terminal bond pay off,” McNally said, explaining the funding increase will allow the airport’s governing body to more quickly pay off a $9.5 million bond it secured to help fund the renovations.

That work has been under way for about two years, and airport officials have plans next week to cut the ribbon on the upgrade’s largest component: a new secured passenger holding area and covered walkway that will allow passengers to walk from the holding area to their aircraft without going outside on the tarmac. Work is expected to be completed on the remaining terminal work by year’s end.

AIP funding can cover 90 percent of eligible project costs, which can range from runway work to access roads and safety area improvements. In Lawton’s case, those funds are being matched with other funding to cover the cost of the terminal upgrade. That includes the $9.5 million revenue note series secured by the Lawton Metropolitan Area Airport Authority to act as a line of credit to cover the difference in available funding and cost.

The $105 billion Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 passed both the U.S. House and Senate by an overwhelming majority, and was forwarded to the president for signature after House members took action Wednesday.

“FAA reauthorization is crucial to maintaining the excellence of America’s aviation industry,” Mullin said, adding the reauthorization contains provisions that directly benefit Oklahoma.